Research
Tracking the Impact of Traumatic Brain Injuries
By
Mar 17, 2010 - 3:49:31 PM

CDC Report Estimates 1.7 Million Traumatic Brain Injuries Occur in the U.S. Each Year

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - An estimated 1.7 million deaths, hospitalizations, and emergency department visits related to traumatic brain injury (TBI) occur in the United States each year, according to a report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The report, "Traumatic Brain Injury in the United States: Emergency
Department Visits, Hospitalizations, and Death," is based on data from
2002-2006 and identifies the leading causes of TBI and incidence by age,
race, and gender.

There were 52,000 deaths and 275,000 hospitalizations annually, the
report said. Almost 1.4 million, or 80 percent, of the people who
sustained a TBI were treated and released from an emergency department.

According to the report, TBIs contribute to nearly a third or 30.5
percent of injury-related deaths in the United States.

The report also said:

* Children from birth to 4 years of age, older adolescents aged 15 to 19
years, and adults aged 65 years and older are most likely to sustain a
TBI.
* Falls are the leading cause of TBI (35.2 percent). Rates are highest
for children from birth to 4 years and for adults aged 75 years and
older.
* Among all age groups, road traffic injury is the second leading cause
of TBI (17.3 percent) and results in the largest percentage of
TBI-related deaths (31.8 percent).
* In every age group, TBI rates are higher for males than for females.

"This report not only presents TBI numbers, it helps to show the impact
of this injury nationwide. These data can help to impact the lives of
millions of Americans as they serve as building blocks that guide TBI
prevention strategies. They also help to identify research and education
priorities and support the need for services among individuals at risk
or living with a TBI," states Richard C. Hunt, M.D., director of CDC's
Division for Injury Response.

A TBI is caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head that disrupts the
normal function of the brain. TBI is an important public health issue
that has far-reaching consequences impacting the daily lives of those
injured as well as the lives of their families. Individuals with TBI may
have short- or long-term consequences that affect thinking, perception,
language, or emotions, and these consequences may not be readily
apparent.

CDC is working to translate science into educational and outreach
initiatives to help increase awareness and improve prevention,
recognition, and response to TBIs.

CDC's "Heads Up" educational initiatives are widely adopted in emergency
departments, doctor's offices, playing fields, homes, and schools
nationwide. These initiatives provide key information to health care
providers, patients, school professionals, sports coaches, parents,
teens, and youth on how to prevent, recognize, and manage TBIs.

To download a free copy of the report and to learn more about TBIs,
please visit www.cdc.gov/TraumaticBrainInjury.

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